Stielen en Ambachten / Arts et Métiers 1833 - 1911

This print, titled "Stielen en Ambachten / Arts et Métiers," was created by Brepols & Dierckx Zoon. Here, a series of vignettes, arranged in a grid, depict various trades and crafts. Predominantly earth tones and muted primary colours fill each scene. The composition, while seemingly straightforward, invites a semiotic reading. Each frame acts as a signifier, pointing to the broader concept of labour and industry. Consider the use of linear perspective within each panel. It not only creates depth, but also directs our gaze, controlling how we interpret each scene. The repetitive nature of the grid structure emphasizes the systematic nature of work, almost as if each trade is a cog in a larger machine. The print doesn't just represent labour; it structures it, categorizes it, and presents it as a cohesive whole. In doing so, it reflects an emerging consciousness of industry and its role in shaping society. Note how the interplay between the visual and textual elements forces us to constantly negotiate between seeing and reading, reinforcing the print's role as a didactic tool.